Chimp's Independence Day: Ray's First Big Step into the Forest

Watch this amazing former research chimp gain his independence - going outdoors for the first time after more than a year of retirement in sanctuary. Former research chimpanzees don't always have the courage to go outdoors even though they can. 10-year-old Ray was raised in the lab for research and, after coming to the Project Chimps sanctuary, spent a year watching others in his group forage, roam and climb in our forested, 6-acre habitat. Finally, it was Ray's big day - the day he exercised his independence and went outside to forage as chimpanzees do in the wild.
Thankfully, research ended on chimpanzees in the US in 2015. Project Chimps is a non-profit organization founded to provide a forever home to more than 200 chimpanzees retired from medical research. These chimps can't be sent to Africa because they lack the skills to survive in the wild, plus wild chimpanzees are already endangered by habitat loss, hunting, and poaching for the pet trade.
At Project Chimps, we provide these amazing, sentient beings with indoor and outdoor habitats; a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts; and daily enrichment activities to engage their minds and encourage their natural behaviors. We will provide them a forever home where they can live out their lives and thrive.
You can make moments like this possible by making a recurring donation or sponsoring a chimpanzee at projectchimps.org today. Subscribe to our KZbin channel and follow #RayChimp and @projectchimps on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Video: Project Chimps Intern Charli Morachnik
Photography: Crystal Alba
Music: bensound.com

[@fredsnyder3063]

😁 once again compassion and love shine bright, thank you. Keep up the important work everyone.

[@synappticuser7296]

I love it so much that these chimps have been released into a sanctuary. It brings tears of gratitude to my eyes.

[@pamelakern2849]

Thankyou for giving these amazing chimps the life they deserve!!

[@Bonobo3D]

What a handsome and healthily looking chimpanzee Ray is. All of these wonderful chimpanzees look happy and healthy. Thank you to all who provide sanctuary to these deserving chimpanzees.

[@LadysLucky]

That is one ugly god forsaken beast out of your nightmares

[@akissfantos7224]

Love to all of you freedom to all animals and people

[@LchanOtakudom]

Good job, Ray! May your life be filled with fun, friends, beets and kiwis!

[@raquelf.1962]

They are so beautiful. Happy they are free!

[@Jane-West]

You go Ray! You can do anything!

[@minz55555]

Wipes tears away! ❤

[@Puzzler-qv2hn]

Sharing my box of tissues with you.

[@oldgloryhillfarmturtlewoma9132]

The absolute greatest thing about this is that they have all of that space to explore…and nothing to hurt them, nothing to fear. It may not be as big as a continent, but that peace of mind is real freedom.

[@MikeMahleraggressivestrength]

Awesome glad to see Ray finally have a nice life he always deserved! Thanks for all you do

[@rogercunningham9987]

Thanks 👍

[@dianajemison105]

I'm so happy for you Ray!

[@GiselSimon]

Thank you for all that you do.

[@thebrideoffrankenstein2415]

Super Kool...love u Ray😘😘😘😁

[@leftylou6070]

Good for Ray! He got a ray of sunshine.

[@xozobueno9106]

So happy for him❤❤❤

[@nickthomas181]

Let's hear it for Ray,well done my son nice one.This is the first day of the rest of your life.Enjoy!

[@appraiseit3965]

God you people are so weird 🤣🤣you act like these nasty creatures are human. I guess I will never understand why we waste such valuable resources on these nasty creatures while there are so many more well deserving human children that could use fresh fruits and challenging puzzles . All you nutcases that are so endeared to these fiflty beasts really need your heads examined. Yikes!!!

[@toshmarie3499]

Thx for giving ray as much time as he needed 2 feel comfortable 2 go at his pace. Happy ray day!! : ) Prayers & blessings

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

Well done...thanks for your work.

[@SweetUniverse]

This one made me teary-eyed. ❤❤❤❤ you guys! 😊😊😊

[@bachtran5533]

❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@Handel9000]

Yay! 😃 👍

[@PlayNiceFolks]

Why torment these creatures when we have rapists and murderers in prisons? The medical research would be both more ethical and more effective than what is done to these innocent animals.

[@PRHILL9696]

agree 100 percent

[@obviouslyurnotagolfer148]

So so cool! 🎉💕🙏❣️😎🙌

[@keithlauderjr1691]

You can call me Ray. 😁❤🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵🐵

[@DylansPen]

Robert still touches his food to his chin before eating it.

[@stellar7760]

You are doing God’s work; you are amazing human beings and the universe will reward you for it! Thank you!

[@PRHILL9696]

They havr to as god does nothing

[@AngelHernandez-mp6tm]

Look how big they look they spoiled that's good God bless them

[@purrrrson]

❤️

[@Parmella]

Wtg Rei you deserve it all.

[@IKnowYouDidnt]

My lawn is more than 6 acres...

[@Kelly-zf8oe]

Why aren't there videos of the chimps inside the structures except for the recent birthday party for Greg with a brief snippet of the chimps? The chimps spend most their time inside and rarely go out in the habit. We are all aware of that which isn't right. Where are the videos of them inside?

[@ejhickey]

what if these chimps escape?

[@ML_SE]

Have you discovered if some of the chimpanzees are blood related? 🤓🏴‍☠️🇸🇪

[@shaneheath6365]

What a waste of valuable resources that should be going to help all the homeless children that are suffering in this country. My god people is this really that important to you that you all just go Gaga over these apes when there is so much need for human kids. I hope you people stop and think where you are putting your money and attention. Priorities

[@lizzie7223]

Human's have advocates to speak up for them all over the world, these apes ?. Your heart is stone. I'd donate to an animal cause any day of the week over a human .Merry Christmas, peace and love .

[@robertpreston2220]

I know where my money goes. It goes to non-human animals as they deserve it. The human animal has proved itself non deserving help

[@ChristyAnne-bx7ps]

Ray looks like something out of your nightmares 🤮🤮